People Power

I witnessed something remarkable last evening - both live at the Gateway of India, as well as on television in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. It was a sight that India has not witnessed since the days of out freedom struggle.

I saw thousands of common citizens spontaneously showing up at designated locations and expressing their anger and frustration. What was amazing about these gatherings is that they were not organized by any political party. The crowds were not bussed to the location, nor were there any party banners or "leaders". On the contrary, the crowds targeted all politicians - regardless of party affiliation. For the first time in the history of independent India, I was witnessing raw people power.

Could this be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back? What was it about this particular horrific episode that shook the citizens of Mumbai out of their habitual indifference and apathy? After all, the 1993 bomb blasts and the 26/7 train bombings were equally barbaric acts, but they did not provoke a reaction remotely comparable to this. Perhaps it was the saturation coverage that on television that brought the tragedy intimately into people's homes; and made them realize how vulnerable they were. Perhaps, it was the pathetic, bumbling response of our so-called leaders that lit the flame of the general public's smouldering anger. The latest news about the discovery of unexploded RDX explosives. lying unattended and undiscovered a week after the incident, at a time when our politicians were assuring us that of "stringent security measures that would ensure such a tragedy never occurs again" merely reinforces the common man's opinion that they are ruled by a bunch of totally clueless and incompetent self-serving nincompoops.

Whatever the reason, the spontaneous outcry was a heartening sight. For sure, some of the sentiments expressed, regarding an immediate attack on Pakistan, displayed ignorance about the way the real world operates. But at least their hearts were in the right place. The acid test will be if the popular anger will be sufficient to change the political system. People power can be an extremely potent weapon, as was demonstrated when the people of the Philippines overthrew President Marcos.

India's problem is more complex, however. In the first place, it is a moot point whether the politicians are truly perturbed even now. For every demonstrator that came out on the streets on Wednesday evening, there are a hundred impoverished, semi-literate Indians whose votes can be cheaply bought. And even suppose a miracle happens and we the current set of charlatans are booted out. Who are we going to replace them with? It's a vital issue that requires, not just passion, but clear thinking.

I normally get irritated when I read letters to the editor that offer simplistic and facile solutions to complex problems. So I am not going to fall into that trap. All that I will request my fellow citizens is to push this unique movement to its logical conclusion. We deserve better government, to be sure, but that can only be accomplished by concrete action; not slogan shouting.